Did You Know That the Philadelphia Film Society Has Been Hosting a Kung Fu Matinee Series?
That’s right kung fu fans, here’s your chance to catch some of the genre’s most influential films on the big screen this summer as the Philadelphia Film Society, in partnership with Reel Nomadic, presents Kung Fu Matinees at Film Society East, 125 S. 2nd Street. Screenings take place every Saturday at 1 p.m., with encore showings on Sundays, running throughout August and September.
The series is a tribute to the kung fu films that became staples of weekend television, now returning to theaters in rare matinee presentations.
Upcoming Screenings
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Fist of Fury (August 31)
Bruce Lee’s breakout film follows a young martial artist’s quest for vengeance in 1908 Shanghai. Directed by Lo Wei. Runtime: 107 minutes. -
Dirty Ho (August 30, September 7)
A Qing dynasty prince teams up with a clever thief to survive assassination plots in this Shaw Brothers classic. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. Runtime: 103 minutes. -
Dragon Inn (September 6, 14)
King Hu’s groundbreaking wuxia tale centers on an inn where loyalty and betrayal collide. Runtime: 111 minutes. -
Fist of Legend (September 13, 21)
Jet Li stars in one of his most acclaimed Hong Kong films, featuring fight choreography by The Matrix’s Yuen Woo-ping. Directed by Gordon Chan. Runtime: 103 minutes.
Earlier in the series, audiences revisited iconic titles such as Five Deadly Venoms, Drunken Master II, and The Heroic Trio. Each film highlighted different aspects of the martial arts genre, from inventive fight choreography to fantastical storytelling.
